Grip 'N Rip: Billy Bitter

Each week Lacrosse Playground will be featuring a different lacrosse athlete as part of our “Grip ‘N Rip” series, where we’ll find out what the best use to fine tune their game. This week we are featuring First Team All-American and current UNC Tarheel Billy Bitter.

What head do you use?
This year I am using the STX Professor. It has the minimum requirements that meet the new stick regulations so it is a good attack head.

What handle do you use?
The STX Vadium Grip– I like the feel of the rubber sticky grip. I don’t have to put a lot of tape on it which makes it lighter.

Where does your pocket sit/what type of pocket to you prefer?
I like to have a pocket that sits low at the bottom of the head so the ball doesn’t fall out as easily when defensemen throw their kayaks and ding dongs.

Who is your stick doctor? Do you string it yourself or do you have a go-to-teammate/friend?
My whole life my stick doctor has been my Dad. Its bizarre how much he loves to string sticks. He strung sticks for all my brothers. I am so used to it so I love it. Since he isn’t around as much now I am in college, I sometimes will have Gavin Petracca string me up a nice twig. He strings about 15 heads a day-Team Stick Doctor.

What kind of mesh do you use and why?
I use dura mesh because I have been using it since I was little. Its hard at first, but wants its worked in with a couple hours on the wall and some phone booth shooting you will be pinning corners left and right.

What is your preferred glove?
This year I am using Nike Huarache Glove. Its brand new and has a great feel when you grip your twig. Nike is really coming along nicely in the lacrosse world.

How much whip does your stick have?
My sticks do not have a lot of whip. I like them to be feeder friendly and easy to come out when you dish it off to a teammate.

Anything unique you do to your head or shaft?
In the past I have always liked my sticks to be pinched enough to be just legal. But now with the new regulations my Dad aka MC has installed a few extra shooting strings at the bottom of my pocket so the ball is able to sit nice and tight.

How long do you keep a stick before you get a new one?
I like to keep my sticks as long as I can before I get a new one. If the head breaks I immediately find Gavin so he can perform a mesh transplant into a new head.

What’s most important to you in a stick/what makes a good stick?
Any stick that you know you can trust and put all your faith into on gameday is a good stick. You need to get used to it and put as much work as you can into it. I want my stick to do all the work in games so I don’t have to put in as much effort. Put the ball in your stick and you will win the game.